Sustainability release 2.28

Bloomington, IN - President Obama recently outlined a plan to incentivize energy efficiency in commercial buildings across the country.

Dubbed the "Better Buildings Initiative," it aims to make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade by encouraging private sector investments through a series of incentives.

The incentives will apply to offices, stores, schools and other municipal facilities, universities, hospitals, and other commercial buildings.

President Obama made the announcement while visiting the Energy Innovation Hub created by the Department of Energy (DOE) at Pennsylvania State University to focus on energy efficient buildings.

In addition to cutting energy use 20 percent by 2020, the new initiatives also aim to moderate domestic energy bills by $40 billion per year.

The President''s budget recently submitted to Congress also proposes a new pilot program through the DOE to guarantee loans for energy efficiency upgrades at hospitals, schools, and other commercial buildings.

"How these initiatives will affect the professional cleaning industry is uncertain at this time," says Cynthia Schultz, CEO of Sustainability Dashboard Tools, LLC. "However, it may encourage more facilities to transfer to Day Cleaning because [reports indicate] it can result in a significant energy savings."

* Need-to-Know is an impartial news service produced by Sustainablity Dashboard Tools to provide building and cleaning professionals with news on sustainable issues that might impact their industries.

Stephen Ashkin is available for interviews, presentations, and commentary on Green Cleaning-related issues, sustainable buildings, industry trends, and facility management. He can be reached by calling (812) 332-7950.

About Sustainability Dashboard Tools, LLC

Sustainability Dashboard Tools, LLC, has created new software technology designed specifically for cleaning professionals. The company''s CEO is Stephen Ashkin, President of The Ashkin Group and Executive Director of the Green Cleaning Network; its COO is Cynthia Schultz.

Sustainability Dashboard Tools'' software allows users to measure the natural resources their businesses use and the greenhouse gas emissions they generate. Armed with this information, businesses can make commonsense changes that reduce their impact on the environment. Such changes save businesses money and make them more efficient and competitive while also benefiting their facilities, employees, and local communities as well as the environment.